Method of measuring and display the actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery

• US 20050127876A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QQE Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: QQE Technology Company Limited
• Inventors: Chuang, Chi-Chang
• Granted Patent: US 7,038,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3646 for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

Method of measuring and display the actual quantity of electricity of a rechargeable battery being charged by an external power source via a charger is disclosed. The method comprises issuing a power out signal from the charger to temporarily disable the power source; sending a signal indicating the actual quantity of electricity of the battery as feedback to the controller in response to the disabled power source; and configuring the controller to have a reference voltage so as to compare the reference voltage with a voltage of the feedback actual quantity of electricity of the rechargeable battery to obtain a voltage ratio, and issue a display signal to a display for displaying a correct measurement based on the voltage ratio.

Claims

1. A method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of a rechargeable battery being charged by an external power source via a charger, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) Power out step. Issuing a predetermined power out signal from said charger to temporarily disable the external power source;

(b) Quantity of electricity of said rechargeable battery feedback step. Sending a signal indicating the actual quantity of electricity of said rechargeable battery as feedback to said charger in response to said disabled external power source; and

(c) Display step. Configuring said charger to have a predetermined reference voltage so as to compare said reference voltage with a voltage of said feedback actual quantity of electricity of said rechargeable battery to obtain a voltage ratio with respect to the actual quantity of electricity of the rechargeable battery, and issue a display signal to a display for displaying a measurement based on said voltage ratio.

2. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said display is a LED assembly.

3. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.

4. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said display is a seven-segment display.

5. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery is a lead acid type rechargeable battery.

6. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery is a nickel hydrogen type rechargeable battery.

7. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery is a nickel cadmium type rechargeable battery.

8. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said external power source is adapted to supply power to the rechargeable battery via the charger in a constant current (CC) mode.

9. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein said charger comprises:

a control unit having a predetermined reference voltage, said control unit being adapted to issue an output charge signal or a power out signal to said external power source for charging or stopping charging the external power source, receive said feedback actual quantity of electricity from said rechargeable battery when said external power source is temporarily disabled, compare said voltage of said feedback actual quantity of electricity of said rechargeable battery with said reference voltage for obtaining a voltage ratio, and issue a display signal based on said voltage ratio;

a driving unit for receiving said charge signal and converting said same into a driving signal for output or receiving the power out signal;

a rectifier unit for receiving said driving signal, converting AC input from said external power source into DC, and charging said rechargeable battery with DC; and

a display unit for receiving said display signal prior to display.

10. The method of measuring and display an actual quantity of electricity of rechargeable battery according to claim 9, further comprising a correction unit between said control unit and said rechargeable battery.